North Hertfordshire Museum

North Hertfordshire Museum The award-winning North Hertfordshire Museum is open to the public six days a week (Tuesday to Sunday)

A three in one for you this week!Back in 1985, we received a collection of photographs showing houses from across our...
29/05/2026

A three in one for you this week!

Back in 1985, we received a collection of photographs showing houses from across our district. Today we are highlighting three of them and while two have been identified down to their street and house number, the third remains a mystery.

First up: the house with the integral garage and white wooden panels on its front is 18 Walnut Way, Ickleford, photographed around 1960.

Second: the property with the hand lawnmower on the front lawn and white rendering across the upper floor is 21 Byrd Walk, Baldock, also taken around 1960.

Finally: the photograph showing a house with a bicycle outside and a car in the driveway is still unidentified.

Do you recognise this third house? Let us know, we would love your help completing the story!

🦕☀️Because of the recent hot weather, we’ve installed some behemoth air conditioning units across our galleries to keep ...
28/05/2026

🦕☀️Because of the recent hot weather, we’ve installed some behemoth air conditioning units across our galleries to keep our objects at the perfect temperature… and our visitors too.

So instead of suffering in the heat, pop into the museum. It’s free, and you can cool down in our galleries while learning about the history of North Herts and exploring our Dinosaurium exhibition.

Even the Protoceratops is very impressed! ☀️🦕

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Free entry
North Hertfordshire Museum,
Brand Street,
Hitchin
SG5 1JE

Opening times
Monday & Bank Holidays Closed
Tuesday - Saturday 10.30am - 4.30pm
Sunday 11.00am - 3.00pm

This watercolour of a Spanish (Sweet) Chestnut Tree from our stores is our pick for Object of the Week. Painted by an ...
27/05/2026

This watercolour of a Spanish (Sweet) Chestnut Tree from our stores is our pick for Object of the Week. Painted by an unknown artist, it shows more than just a landscape, it also records a piece of local history.

A pencilled note beneath the image reads: “Spanish Chestnut at Wymondley, Herts, 1841 said to have been a full grown tree in 1066.” If true, this remarkable tree would already have been mature at the time of the Norman Conquest.

Spanish Chestnut trees are among the longest‑living in Britain, capable of surviving for over 1,000 years, and are officially considered ancient from just 400 years old.

We imagine this particular tree may no longer be standing, given that nearly 200 years have passed since it was painted. However, we would love to be proved wrong. Has anyone come across this tree near Wymondley?

Last few tickets available for tomorrow (Wednesday)There are just a handful of spaces left for Weave a Garden Scene – Ki...
26/05/2026

Last few tickets available for tomorrow (Wednesday)

There are just a handful of spaces left for Weave a Garden Scene – Kids Weaving Workshop.

Children will create their own woven garden picture using colourful wools, ribbons and threads. Younger children can explore texture and colour, while older children will learn how to shape and blend their weave. The finished piece is brought to life with mini beasts and flowers to take home.

Suitable for ages 4–11
All children must be accompanied by an adult.

📆Wednesday 27 May
🕑11.00–11.45am
🕑1.30–2.15pm
🎫£10 per child

Plus, enjoy 10% off in the café on the day when you show your ticket or receipt.
Book now to avoid missing out.

https://www.ticketsource.com/northhertsmuseum/weave-a-garden-scene-kids-weaving-workshop/p-ebonrl

Only one session available for tomorrow (Tuesday)The 11.45 session has spaces left for Make Historic Jewellery – Family ...
25/05/2026

Only one session available for tomorrow (Tuesday)

The 11.45 session has spaces left for Make Historic Jewellery – Family Craft Workshop.

Step back in time and get creative together. Inspired by Anglo‑Saxon and Viking designs, families will work side by side to make a unique disc brooch to take home. Using metal sheets or clay, you’ll recreate historic styles and leave with a handmade piece to wear or keep.

Suitable for all ages. Adult supervision recommended for younger children.
All materials included. Both adults and children need a ticket.

Tuesday 26 May, 11.45
£5 per person or £16 family ticket (4 people)

Book now before the final places go.

https://www.ticketsource.com/northhertsmuseum/make-historic-jewellery-family-craft-workshop/p-ebonrl

Only a handful of tickets left for tomorrow’s (Sunday) Colourful Bird – Fabric Collage Kids Workshop 🐦Brighten up the sk...
23/05/2026

Only a handful of tickets left for tomorrow’s (Sunday) Colourful Bird – Fabric Collage Kids Workshop 🐦

Brighten up the sky with a super colourful bird. Children will use vibrant felt strips to create their own cheerful collage bird to take home and hang proudly.

📅 Sunday 24 May
⏰ 11.20am–12.10pm or 12.30pm–1.20pm
🎟 £10 per child
👧 Suitable for ages 4+

Book now to avoid missing out.

https://www.ticketsource.com/northhertsmuseum/colourful-bird-fabric-collage-kids-workshop/p-ebonrl

This amazing photograph, newly added to our collection, shows The Bohemians, a 15-piece band posed in three neat rows....
22/05/2026

This amazing photograph, newly added to our collection, shows The Bohemians, a 15-piece band posed in three neat rows. Most of the men hold banjos, while the front row features a guitar at the centre, flanked by two mandolins.

Turn the photograph over and you find a wealth of handwritten details: the band’s name, the surnames and musical roles of its members, and even a note on their eye-catching costume of white flannels with red ties and sashes. All of this helps us picture the group far more vividly than the black and white image alone allows.

The inscription is signed “F.B.”, believed to be Fred Brown, a local milkman and relative of the donor. He is thought to appear in the back row, on the far right-hand side.

A wonderful glimpse into local music-making and community life.

🌿 Willow Wall Flower – Willow Weaving Workshop 🌿Join us for a relaxing, creative workshop and learn how to weave beautif...
21/05/2026

🌿 Willow Wall Flower – Willow Weaving Workshop 🌿

Join us for a relaxing, creative workshop and learn how to weave beautiful willow wall flowers using simple techniques.
Perfect for beginners, these flowers can be displayed indoors, outdoors, or mounted on a cane in the garden.

📅 Friday 5th June
🕚 11am – 2pm
💷 £45 per person

About the tutor:
Hazel is a contemporary basket-maker and willow artist with over 16 years of teaching experience in Herts and Bucks. A Gold Award exhibitor at the Chelsea Flower Show, Hazel’s work is inspired by nature and the human condition, and spans community spaces, public buildings, TV, and private commissions.

Spaces are limited

https://www.ticketsource.com/northhertsmuseum/willow-wall-flower-willow-weaving-workshop/p-ebonrl

Take a look at these two CDs from the Rhythms of the World Festival, one from 2005 and one from 2006. Rhythms of the W...
20/05/2026

Take a look at these two CDs from the Rhythms of the World Festival, one from 2005 and one from 2006. Rhythms of the World was a hugely popular world music festival in Hitchin, first held in 1992 and coming to an eventual end in 2023.

The mid 2000s marked a high point in the festival’s scale and ambition. In 2005, 160 acts performed across 10 stages. The following year, the festival expanded even further, with 193 acts performing on 11 stages.

Together, these CDs capture a vivid moment in Hitchin’s cultural life, when the town centre was filled with music from around the world.

Did you ever attend Rhythms of the World? Which performers or memories stand out for you?

🎨 Kids Half Term Activities, Next WeekLooking for something creative this half term? We’ve got three fun workshops for c...
19/05/2026

🎨 Kids Half Term Activities, Next Week
Looking for something creative this half term? We’ve got three fun workshops for children and families to enjoy:

🐦 Sun 24 May | Colourful Bird Fabric Collage
Brighten up the day by creating a cheerful bird using vibrant felt strips and a pre-cut board ready to hang. A brilliant way for kids to explore colour, pattern and texture while making their own unique artwork.

🏛 Tue 26 May | Make Historic Jewellery (Family Workshop)
Step back in time and design your own Saxon or Viking-inspired brooch. Using metal or clay, families can create a beautiful piece inspired by historic designs to take home and treasure.

🌺 Wed 27 May | Weave a Garden Scene
Create your own woven garden using colourful wool, ribbons and threads. Younger children can play with textures and colours, while older children can learn weaving techniques before adding flowers and mini beasts.
Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out. Book now and get creative this half term!

👇Click the link to find out more and book 👇

https://www.ticketsource.com/northhertsmuseum

18/05/2026

Museum District Treasures ep. 5💰: edition! 🌍

What better way to celebrate than by unlocking more wonders from our district treasure trove?! As North Hertfordshire Museum prepares to move over 1 million objects to their new facility in 2027, we are highlighting the local stories that connect us all. 🗝️

In this episode, Museum Curator, Matthew Platt returns to take us pages-first into the past. Today, he reveals a captivating tale about a piece of local print history: a pamphlet of "John Kellerman, The 'Last of the Alchemists'" by historian, W.B. Gerish 📜

Want to dive deeper into our local heritage on this global day of recognition? Why not celebrate by planning your next visit to North Herts Museum to discover even more hidden gems! 🏛️

For a closer look, and to see where this piece of North Herts history fits on the 'District Treasures' map, head to the Museum's website below 👇
www.northhertsmuseum.org/north-hertfordshire-museum/collections/museum-storage

Address

Brand Street
Hitchin
SG51JE

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 10:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 10:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 10:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday 10:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday 11am - 3pm

Telephone

+441462474554

Website

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